Striker deal collapses

The 26-year-old had been expected to complete a switch to The Hawthorns on Thursday but the transfer has collapsed as he will not be fit for the start of the season, reports claim.

Albion were prepared to pay around £15million for Sakho but, while he has not failed a medical, the Baggies were reluctant to spend the significant sum without any guarantees he would be ready when they needed him.

The news comes as a big blow to both the Eagles and Stoke City, who were hoping to complete a deal for Berahino, but will now have to wait until the Baggies find another suitable replacement.

Whether a deal can be resurrected remains to be seen, but Albion are likely to want a replacement for Berahino before opening the door for him to leave.

It is just another setback for boss Alan Pardew, who is desperately short of strikers and is keen to sign at least one before the transfer deadline passes.